‘Ennis has become the Sabres’ No. 1 prospect, something he continued to prove during Portland’s two games in Rochester over the weekend. The depleted Pirates leaned heavily on their 20-year-old forward, and Ennis helped deliver three of four points with a victory and shootout loss.’

‘Schumer said he spoke with Larry Quinn this week and released a letter he gave the Sabres’ minority owner. The Sabres, who have little to no say in the relocation process, will not comment on the Pirates’ situation. Schumer, however, says Quinn confirmed Portland’s owners are considering the move.’

‘“Look, I get why the one phrase could be misinterpreted,” Miller said yesterday, the helmet propped victoriously on his head. “But the other one … I had to explain why it was important to me, and to my aunt, and to my family. I hoped they would understand.”’

‘Miller was arguably the league’s MVP through the first half of the season, and even though he has struggled a bit over the last month as the Sabres have seen their lead in the Northeast Division disappear, there’s no doubt who is the team’s most irreplaceable player.’

‘“Albany is a first-class hockey town and any AHL team – but especially an Upstate New York team like the Sabres – would make a wise choice to move there,” Schumer said. “I think creating a Sabres fan base that stretches from west to east across all of Upstate is a great idea. And I think that hockey fans in the Albany area will be motivated to root for a team also from Upstate New York. It is not hard to imagine fans taking road trips to support the players they watch grow into front-line NHL’ers. We clearly have a strong case to move the Sabres AHL franchise here, and I will continue to make that case as strongly as I can so that pucks continue to bounce off the boards of the Times Union Center.”’